Citations

Video-based care has become a routine part of outpatient care delivery, yet older adults continue to face barriers in accessing and engaging with this modality. This study analyzed the comments provided within 7155 patient experience surveys from adults aged ≥65 years across a large, multi-specialty medical practice to identify challenges experienced with video-based visits. Thematic analysis revealed the highest proportion of positive comments were related to experience with people (71%), while barriers were often related to technical issues with video tools (73%). Most comments related to processes were positive, often highlighting convenience (67%). Using design thinking, we mapped the patient journey and proposed both immediate solutions, such as testing environments and clearer instructions, and long-term innovations like voice-guided support and emotionally intelligent interfaces. Our findings suggest that while video visits offer convenience, they must be redesigned with older adults in mind to ensure equitable, effective, and human-centered care.

Introduction Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves (EBV) is an effective procedure for patient with severe emphysema to improve lung function, exercise tolerance, dyspnoea and quality of life. Optimisation of patient and treatment lobe selection is essential for successful EBV outcomes. While clinical selection criteria are rigorous, many centres use a multidisciplinary team and rely on previous clinical experience for the selection process. To aid objective clinical decision making, we present a mathematical model to facilitate patient and target lobe selection. Methods A multidisciplinary team reviewed quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) analysis from 119 patients to select candidates for EBV and to select a treatment lobe. Two logistic regression models, (1) candidacy for EBV placement and (2) target-lobe selection, were developed based on the normalised distributions of the four quantitative HRCT variables (fissure completeness score, per cent of voxel density with HU < −910 and HU < −950, and lobar volumes) across all five lung lobes. An external cohort of 50 patients (25 candidates and 25 non-candidates) was used to validate the prediction model. Results Performance measures of the training cohort demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91, accuracy of 81%, sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 78% compared with the multidisciplinary teams’ target lobe selection. The validation cohort demonstrated an AUC of 0.89, accuracy of 84%, sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 83% compared with the multidisciplinary team decision making. Conclusions Endobronchial valve lung volume reduction remains a potent palliative measure to improve quality of life in patients with hyperinflated emphysema. Our model for target lobe selection harnesses the multidisciplinary experience at a tertiary care centre to objectively select candidates and target lobes to assist clinicians’ decision making. Future studies investigating prediction of lobar collapse and functional improvement after target lobe selection using our model are needed.

AbstractIntroductionBronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with endobronchial valves (EBVs) has emerged as an important treatment method for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are a frequent complication following BLVR with EBV. However, there is no consensus on the prevention of AECOPD.ObjectivesOur study aims to compare the outcomes of different prophylactic measures on the occurrence of AECOPD after BLVR with EBV.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, retrospective study of patients who underwent BLVR with EBV at six different institutions. Emphasis was directed towards the specific practices aimed at preventing AECOPD: antibiotics, steroids, antibiotics plus steroids, or no prophylaxis. Subgroups were compared, and odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.ResultsA total of 170 patients were reviewed. The rate of AECOPD was 21.2% for the full cohort. Patients who received prophylaxis had a significantly lower rate of AECOPD compared with those who did not (16.7% vs. 46.2%; p = 0.001). The rate was lowest in patients who received antibiotics alone (9.2%). There was no significant difference in the rate of AECOPD between patients who received steroids alone or antibiotics plus steroids, compared with the other subgroups. The OR for AECOPD was 4.3 (95% CI: 1.8–10.4; p = 0.001) for patients not receiving prophylaxis and 3.9 (95% CI: 1.5–10.1; p = 0.004) for prophylaxis other than antibiotics alone.ConclusionsAdministration of antibiotics after BLVR with EBV was associated with a lower rate of AECOPD. This was not observed with the use of steroids or in combination with antibiotics.